Flashback - The Philippine scene in IYA 2009

Here are just a few highlights of what transpired in the Philippines for the IYA 2009 that I compiled from different posts of Astronomical organizations in the Philippines:

The opening ceremony of IYA 2009 Philippine celebration was held on February 16 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia, coinciding with the National Astronomy week.

• Approval of the RTU Diploma in Astronomy. The first Astronomy program to be offered via Distance Learning Education (DLE).
  
• Pauline Pearl Divinagracia, a student at the Rizal Technological University (RTU) taking up BS
  Astronomy Technology, has been chosen to represent the Philippines at
  the opening ceremonies of the International Year of Astronomy 2009
  (IYA2009) in Paris, France on January 15-16, 2009.
• Astronomical League of the Philippines (ALP) uploaded a page for the RTU Department of Astronomy  in the ALP website
• ALP began the Philippine Journal of Astronomy, the first astronomical journal in the Philippines. The first issue was released in March and the second in June.
  
•  The 1st Philippine Astronomical Convention. The PAC was held at RTU.
• Jan 26, 2009 - Partial Solar Eclipse (which was mistakenly reported by the media as an annular solar eclipse). ALP and Sidewalk Astronomers - Philippines observed successfully at the Manila Bay. Cloudy weather conditions for Visayas and Mindanao.
• IYA-PAS Educational Campus Tour. Over 1000 Philippine Science High School students and faculty members attending Engr. Dacanay's lecture.
• The first Philippine Astronomical Society's PASilip. The viewing of the moon at the Manila Observatory roofdeck on February 1.
• ALP's establishment of the Philippine Sunspot Number Program.
• The Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology Astronomical Society Activities:
  Lantaw Luna: View the Moon on Feb 11
•  The Astronomical League of the Philippines and the Rizal Technological University signed a historic Memorandum of Agreement which will bolster each other's activities and projects, specifically in formal astronomy education.
• The 3rd Philippine Messier Marathon on March 28, 2009 at the dark skies of Caliraya, Laguna.
• 100 Hours of Astronomy. A four day activity from April 2-4.
• Dr. Armando Lee or 'Doc Lee' - first Philippine produced MS Astronomy graduate.
• Ordinary people came to enjoy IYA such as the following:
• "Dinumog kami ng mga street children d2 sa Malibay overpass! Ang saya d2!" - Doc Lee
• 100HA in the Seven Suites Hotel Observatory in Antipolo. A group of about 60
  Dumagats came (The first time these natives saw a telescope). Alaga sila ng isang NGO based in Rizal Province.
• The BusinessMirror released an article about the 100 Hours of Astronomy entitled, "Knowledge comes through the telescope"
• Partial Solar Eclipse of 2009. ALP and UP AstroSoc sent teams to China to Observe totality
  
• Integration of Astronomy in the Rizal and History courses through a book by Prof. Jose Fadul.
• Establishment of a Philippine Astronomy Social Network.
• Inclusion of the Philippine Journal of Astronomy in the SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (SAO/NASA ADS).
• IYA 2009 National Astronomy Olympiad, organized by the IYA 2009 NOC in cooperation with UP NISMED
• ALP page on Facebook :)
• International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) in Taiwan. The Philippines bagged its 1st silver (Lance Co Ting Keh of PSHS). The other awards were 2 bronze (Ralph Ugalino and Gio Elegado of the PSHS-main and Bicol, respectively), best presentation for the international team field investigation (Emmanuel Codillo of Catanduanes National HS).
• StarPeace - Indonesia and Philippines: construction of peace bridge on South China sea (Dec 4-5), public viewing and general live webcasting with StarPeace ambassadors Dr. Armando Lee and Avivah Yamani 
• Galilean Nights - An extension of 100 HA on Dec 22-24
  
• Beauty without Borders - telescope viewing sessions in Antipolo
  

These are just some of the few activities in the Philippines conducted in observance of the IYA. Astronomy related orgs have many other activities that transpired during the duration of the year. I hope we can continue to promote Astronomy in the country beyond the celebration of IYA 2009.

Clear Skies for 2010!